How entertaining? ★★★★☆
Thought provoking? ★★★☆☆ 11 July 2016
A movie review of GOAT. |
YouTube review:
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“The pledges have to go through hell, otherwise what’s the f***ing point, right man?” Dixon Rowley (Jake Picking)
A tough watch in the vein of the Borderline Films collective. You know, AFTERSCHOOL and MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE – violence does not just bubble under the surface but is there chopping away in full view. They share the commonality of unflinching portrayal of how young people can be caught up in brutality. Forget about the comedy hijinks of ANIMAL HOUSE, BAD NEIGHBOURS and EVERYBODY WANTS SOME!!, GOAT delivers a gut-punch presentation of the dark side of fraternity life. Those sure in themselves and unmoved by peer pressure may perhaps scratch their heads at the lengths suffered/inflicted here, however, reach back to your formative years and you were probably not as steely.
A tough watch in the vein of the Borderline Films collective. You know, AFTERSCHOOL and MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE – violence does not just bubble under the surface but is there chopping away in full view. They share the commonality of unflinching portrayal of how young people can be caught up in brutality. Forget about the comedy hijinks of ANIMAL HOUSE, BAD NEIGHBOURS and EVERYBODY WANTS SOME!!, GOAT delivers a gut-punch presentation of the dark side of fraternity life. Those sure in themselves and unmoved by peer pressure may perhaps scratch their heads at the lengths suffered/inflicted here, however, reach back to your formative years and you were probably not as steely.
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Based on a true story, status on university campus is not the sole motivator for Brad Land (Ben Schnetzer – compare and contrast a British elite higher education clique he appears in, THE RIOT CLUB). The opening credits have half naked guys yelling in slow-motion, setting the disturbing, aggressive psycho-sexual tone (harking back to A CLOCKWORK ORANGE). Having just graduated high school, Brad is at a college party as a guest of his brother, the composed and confident Brett (Nick Jonas) – clearly someone the younger Land looks up to. Two women kissing in front of male students is not shown to be something to aspire to be a part of – a seedy unromantic lechery is the alternate result, with a (hopeful) shake of the audience head.
It is after Brad leaves the party where GOAT ups the ante. A guy claims to be from the gathering and asks for a ride home from Brad. Alarm bells should have been ringing. In a moment of kindness/madness, the lead says yes and the guy brings along a friend. Instead of changing his mind, danger unease is subsumed under fear of social awkwardness. As the journey progresses into the lonely countryside, they attack Brad. It unfurls slowly to maximise the twisting of your stomach in anticipation. How far will they go? The post-traumatic stress of the aftermath is compounded, firstly by the police thinking it was a drug deal gone wrong and then by Brett strongly encouraging Brad to not postpone starting university, which the latter understandably wants.
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Justice and solace not found for the protagonist is an isolator and driver. GOAT does not go for the obvious root of turning a nice young person into something unrecognisable. As savagery comes in waves he is hammered though not completely out of shape. Security, self-worth and brotherhood are what he seeks. Alumnus Mitch (James Franco), who still clings to glory days, the way some school jocks are depicted, should have been a warning to Brad but instead cements his need to belong. GOAT has intelligence without the need to crow about it.
As THE WHITE RIBBON is used to prefigure Nazi Germany, GOAT may be argued as an examination of corporate/banking culture. These fraternity alumni are honed in a crucible, perhaps going on to be future captains of industry. Is the current financial crisis a result of people showing the traits under this spotlight?
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